Qatar records 1.13m visitors in Q1 2026

Qatar attracted 1.13 million visitors in Q1 of 2026, according to the latest figures from Qatar Tourism, as the destination builds on tourism momentum ahead of its summer campaign.

 

January accounted for the highest number of arrivals, with 646,000 visitors, followed by 423,000 in February and 63,000 in March.

 

The figures come as Qatar’s tourism sector is expected to rebound in the second half of 2026. According to Qatar News Agency (QNA), tourism expert Ahmed Hussein said easing regional tensions, Qatar Tourism’s continued efforts to diversify the country’s tourism offering and rising overseas travel costs are expected to encourage both inbound tourism and domestic travel in the months ahead.

 

The destination is ramping up its summer tourism offering, with Visit Qatar’s Hala Summer campaign running through to the end of September. The programme features entertainment, cultural and sporting events, alongside hotel packages, family attractions and seasonal experiences aimed at driving domestic and international tourism.

 

The summer lineup includes the Qatar Toy Festival, concerts, shopping mall activations and experiences across hotels, resorts, theme parks and water attractions. More than 100 hotels and resorts are also participating in the Kids Go Free campaign, offering complimentary stays, dining and selected experiences for children accompanied by a paying adult.

 

RELATED:

Qatar public holidays to come in 2026

New beachfront destination opens in Qatar

Qatar boosts summer family tourism with ‘Kids Go Free’ campaign

 

The latest tourism figures follow wider signs of recovery across the Gulf. According to travel experiences platform Dragonpass, passenger volumes across the GCC rebounded 66.2% month-on-month in May as traveller confidence returned following the interim agreement between the US and Iran. Qatar emerged as the GCC’s fastest-growing travel market during the period, with travel demand rising 165% between April and May, while Hamad International Airport (DOH) recorded the strongest growth among the GCC’s major hubs.

 

Doha was recently also named the GCC Capital of Tourism for 2026, with a year-long programme of curated events, including cultural festivals, family attractions and the debut of Art Basel Qatar. From November, Qatar Museums will also launch Rubaiya Qatar, a contemporary art quadrennial bringing exhibitions to the region.

 

Upcoming additions to the tourism pipeline include Dugong Adventure World, Qatar’s first animation-themed edutainment park, alongside new hotel openings such as Rosewood Doha, featuring a first-of-its-kind wellness club, and Kimpton Doha, which will offer 283 rooms, five dining venues and a rooftop bar.

 

For more information, visit www.visitqatar.com